(CNN) - Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley - three women rumored to be under consideration as Mitt Romney's running mate - will have high profile speaking roles at the Republican National Convention, organizers will announce Monday.

The naming of the three women most likely means that Romney's campaign is no longer vetting their backgrounds, if they ever did.- Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker

In addition, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Arizona Sen. John McCain and Florida Gov. Rick Scott will also have prime time speaking roles at the four day event that begins August 27 in Tampa, a GOP official confirms.

The Tampa Bay Times first reported the names of the speakers early Monday morning on its web site.

Names that will not be announced in the first roll out of convention speakers: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan. Romney is rumored to be looking at these five men – specifically Pawlenty and Portman – to join him on the GOP ticket.

The Romney campaign has not said when it will name a vice presidential running mate, but speculation is that it won't happen until after the Olympics end next Sunday. And several other people, in addition to the five named above, are said to be under consideration in this very secretive process.

The GOP official did not say at what specific date and time each person would speak. But in announcing the names as prime time speakers, Romney's campaign appears to be trying to highlight the GOP's ethnic, racial and political diversity.

Also, by stating that Scott will take a high profile role at the convention, the Romney campaign is putting to rest speculation about what role, if any, the politically unpopular governor would play in the convention in his own state. Florida is considered one of the key battlegrounds in the 2012 election.

soundoff(12 Responses)

BeverlyNC

None are good choices. Condi has the Bush adminstrratiion failures and wara taint her, Niki Haley has been an extrenist and weak govenor and Martinez is unknown. Women are not respected in the Republican Party and would be largely ignoned and opinions ignored. In the men, Portman is unknown, Pawlenty is weak and unwlling to stand up for himself, Rubio is not qualified enough yet to be on a Presidential ticket and is just a pander to the Latino community, and Ryan would be a total disaster with his People-destroying budget plan. Republicans could not find a qualified Presidential candidate and have less to choose from in someone who could take over as President in an emergency situation. Currently the Republican Party is far over the line in extremism, bigotry, hate, obstructionism, corporate puppetry vs People advocates, and have been betrayers of the People for jobs, economc recovery, and all programs to help the middle class and the poor. They are not fit to lead until they go away, find a soul, find humanity, and redefine who they really are as Peope, leaders, and American patriots.

August 6, 2012 05:56 am at 5:56 am |

Steve Jennings

This list of speakers didn't narrow the field at all... Not one of these people were on any "real" list of VP.

In short, congratz on your click inducing headline.

August 6, 2012 06:02 am at 6:02 am |

Marie MD

Maybe they are hiding under a slimy rock but I can't see anyone on any list that has been presented that will do anything for this wooden country club flip flopping twit.

August 6, 2012 06:26 am at 6:26 am |

Namejoan menslage

Rubio would be excellent choice for vp

He would pull out Hispanic voters which we need so desperately.

August 6, 2012 06:48 am at 6:48 am |

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ

He's still thnking and not sure what to do. It is unlikely that he will be picking a relatively unknow because McCain did that and failed more had he picked someone more conventional.

August 6, 2012 07:05 am at 7:05 am |

Zechariah14 third mishkan

Dr rice want run she sees right through romney lies.she is way smarter then that
Romney don't get it

August 6, 2012 07:07 am at 7:07 am |

Bob

Rick Scott is not "politically unpopular" to conservatives in the state of Florida, we elected him.

August 6, 2012 07:08 am at 7:08 am |

Tyde Moore

I hope he picks Mike Huckabee, it would definitely give his campaign some much needed strength and more supporters.

August 6, 2012 07:22 am at 7:22 am |

pjc722

That is disappointing news that Condolezza Rice will not be in the running for VP. I know she has publicly ... or through friends... said that she does not want to be VP but there is not a candidate out there that I would want to see more on this ticket than her. As much as Romney is polarizing, Condolezza has this quality to her that reminds me of Hillary Clinton in that she is a strong woman, confident in what she says, and someone who is MORE THAN PREPARED to lead this country if ever called to do so.

My other pick would be Chris Christie but when you put him next to Romney, Romney pales in comparison. Christie is direct, sometimes too direct. He is tough, sometimes too tough. And he is a great leader because he says what needs to be said instead of stroking our egos. Christie would be a perfect GOP candidate in 4 years for President if for some reason Romney lost the race this time around.

(He just may if his choice is just downright dull!)

August 6, 2012 07:23 am at 7:23 am |

Chedar

The last time I heard is, the VP position is narrowed down between Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.

August 6, 2012 07:37 am at 7:37 am |

Carls

What does the Olympics have to do with it? Name your pick for VP, now. You know who it will be, unless y'all are tossing coins and placing bets on Olympians for standards. The only standard left for poor folk to covet these days. I will vote for the ones who covets what Jesus loves. You got that?